Senior Payroll Specialist

Position Overview

Senior Payroll Specialist

Hiring Range: $31.35 – $39.19 / hourFull Salary Range: $31.35 – $47.02 / hour

 

The Town of Vail is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Payroll Specialist to support our Finance Department. This key role works closely with the Accounting Manager and Human Resources department to accurately process bi-weekly payroll for all Town employees. This position will handle complex payroll scenarios, including overtime calculations across three different FLSA groups, assist with benefits administration, troubleshoot time clock entries, and maintain legal compliance and the confidentiality of sensitive information.  

With support from the Accounting Manager, the Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for maintaining the Town’s payroll system (Workday), including system configuration and ensuring accurate financial reporting of payroll results. 

This is an excellent opportunity to build advanced Workday skills in a leading Payroll and HRIS system while working with a collaborative and supportive finance team. The position is well-suited for someone who is detail-oriented with strong analytical skills.  

 Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Process semi-weekly payroll for all employees, including hourly, police, fire, and exempt administrative staff.
• Calculate and process overtime, holiday pay, variable overtime, and premium pay rates according to town policies.  

• Coordinate with HR to maintain accurate employee records, including personnel payroll files. 
• Assist with processing enrollments, terminations, and status changes. 

• Ensure compliance with pension contributions, reporting requirements, and member services. 
• Process pension transmittal files and wire transfers. 
• Process pension-related inquiries and coordinate with account representatives.  

• Process wage garnishments, tax levies, advances, and other payroll deductions.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure proper remittance to appropriate agencies.  

• Assist with outsourced preparation and filing quarterly payroll tax reports, including federal and state requirements. 
• Complete year-end tax processing through the third-party (ADP) portal.  

• Reconcile payroll accounts and prepare payroll-related journal entries.
• Coordinate with the Accounting Manager to ensure accurate financial reporting.  

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, leave balances, pay-related corrections,  and payroll-related matters.
• Provide excellent customer service while maintaining confidentiality.  

• Support time and attendance tracking systems and processes.
• Coordinate with supervisors to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate time reporting.  

• Stay current with federal and state payroll laws, regulations, and best practices.

• Stay current with payroll system updates, maintain accurate system configurations, and troubleshoot errors.
• Set up and deploy new earnings and deductions pay codes as needed.
• Test and validate new pay and time codes in coordination with other departments.  

• Assist with accounts payable and receivables, audit preparation, system implementations, and other projects as assigned by the Accounting Manager.  

Skills / Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Strong analytical abilities and meticulous attention to detail. 

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial software. 

• Experience with Workday payroll software preferred.  

• Knowledge of governmental accounting preferred. 

• Understanding of accounting functions (AP, AR, payroll). 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage multiple deadlines. 

Education & Experience 

• Minimum of three years of relevant accounting and payroll processing experience. 

• Payroll certification and/or a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting preferred.  

• Experience in government accounting preferred. 
• Workday payroll experience preferred, but not required.

Culture / Lifestyle / Benefits

The Town of Vail is a values-based culture that is nurtured by our employees’ strong desire to foster teamwork, take ownership in Vail’s future and an overall pride in serving their community. To find out more about our community, please visit our website www.vail.gov and click on Vail Information.  

 

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